Sweden’s beloved Melodifestivalen returns in 2026 with exciting new details officially confirmed. From record‐breaking numbers of song submissions to a tour across six cities, here’s everything you need to know about what’s ahead.
Dates & Venues
Melodifestivalen 2026 will be staged in six Swedish cities, with five semi-finals (“heats”) and a grand final:
Heat 1: Linköping – January 31
Heat 2: Göteborg – February 7
Heat 3: Kristianstad – February 14
Heat 4: Malmö – February 21
Heat 5: Sundsvall – February 28
The Final: Stockholm – March 7
Notably, Sundsvall returns as a host city for the first time since 2011, and Kristianstad will once more be on the map (it last hosted “Andra chansen” in 2018).
What We Know So Far
While the full roster of artists hasn’t yet been revealed, several key rules and structural details for MF2026 have been made public:
The competition format: 5 heats + 1 grand final. 30 songs will be chosen to compete in the semi-finals, and from those, 12 will make the final.
Submissions open 18 August 2025 at 09:00 CEST and close 12 September 2025 at 23:59 CEST. Rules include: Songs must be new / not released publicly before certain dates. Duration between 2 and 3 minutes. Language: any language allowed, but approx. 30% of selected songs are expected to feature Swedish lyrics. Diversity: at least 50% of selected songs should have female writers or composers.
A New Record: Song Submissions
This year Melodifestivalen set a new benchmark:
SVT received 3,888 song submissions for Melodifestivalen 2026 — the highest number in the contest’s history. The previous record had been set in 2011, when 3,832 entries were submitted. This year beats that by 56.
What This Means & What to Watch
The surge in submissions indicates strong interest from artists and songwriters, both established and new. It suggests Melodifestivalen’s appeal continues to grow, not just domestically but potentially globally among creators looking to participate. With stricter or more focused selection conditions (e.g. proportions of Swedish language entries, gender balance in songwriting), the competition may see a shift in the kinds of songs and artists participating. Fans will be eagerly watching for the November/December announcement of the competing acts, as well as who will host the shows. Local stakeholders in the host cities (especially Sundsvall and Kristianstad) are already expressing excitement.
Context & Background
Melodifestivalen is more than just Sweden’s preselection for Eurovision; it’s a cultural institution. Each year it draws thousands of song submissions; for example, in 2025, there were 2,794 entries.
The 2026 edition is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years, not just in terms of quantity of submissions but in its rules aiming to promote diversity and originality. If trends hold, we might also see songs in different styles, languages, and new faces emerging.
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